Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that water flows chaotically through the ground in heterogeneous soils and fractured rock environments. Chaos theory can now be used to model this non-linear process, which is crucial for environmental restoration.
A study found that spraying water with airborne bacteria in indoor swimming pools can lead to a lung disease called granulomatous pneumonitis. Lifeguards who worked long hours at pools with water features were most affected, and symptoms included cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
The study found that public perceptions of the forest prioritize residential quality of life, community, and environmental ethics. This differs from land managers' focus on tangible aspects like water, wood, and wildlife.
Researchers found supernovas are fainter than expected, suggesting the universe has expanded more slowly in the past and is now accelerating. This discovery supports the Cosmological Constant theory, which had been dismissed by Albert Einstein, and has significant implications for our understanding of the universe's behavior.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found latent HIV in the semen of seven infected men taking HAART, which may be transmissible. The study suggests that even if detectable virus is not present in blood, individuals should practice safe sex to prevent transmission.
Researchers have found that temporarily blocking sex hormones can boost the immune system of people with HIV, cancer, and those who have received immunosuppressive treatments. The study suggests that drugs that suppress sex hormone production may help restore immune function and combat diseases.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a way to track thymus function and produced new T-cells in patients with HIV. The discovery could lead to therapies that increase T-cell production and aid in recovery from both HIV and cancer treatments.
The special issue of Interdisciplinary Science Reviews explores various aspects of radioactive waste disposal, including geological disposal, natural analogues, and engineered barriers. Leading experts from different fields share their knowledge to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex problem.
Researchers reviewing thousands of ultrasound scans found that many cases of premature delivery and poor fetal growth are likely determined by the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This suggests waiting until after conception to prepare for motherhood may be too late, highlighting a potential benefit from earlier intervention.
A scale model wind machine is being tested at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory to simulate natural storms. The experimental data collected will aid in designing hurricane-resistant homes, with a focus on affordable solutions for shelter protection.
Aromatic amines, used in industrial processes, have been detected in human milk, raising concerns about breast cancer risk and infant exposure. The study's findings suggest that breast ductal epithelial cells are also exposed to these substances, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A group of engineers and scientists reconstruct hurricanes using a custom-built tower with data-gathering equipment. The goal is to fabricate house-sized hurricane-force winds at the HomeSaver national test facility.
Astronomers believe the Universe has expanded since the big bang about 15 billion years ago, but a new theory proposes that it may have rotated like a merry-go-round for an indefinitely long period. If true, this rotation could have suddenly changed into expansion thanks to a 'vacuum phase transition.'
Researchers found that carbonic acid, a chemical irritant, causes the tingling sensation when drinking champagne. Volunteers were asked to rate the sensation after sticking their tongues into carbonated water for up to 15 seconds.
The INSERM Collective Expertise Report on Migraine emphasizes that paramedical examinations are unnecessary for diagnosis, recommending a simple interview and medical examination instead. Effective treatments exist, but patients often underestimate their benefits, and confusion between triggers and underlying causes persists. The repor...
Researchers found that the thymus gland remains functional in adults and can produce new T cells after HIV infection is suppressed. After receiving HAART, HIV-infected individuals showed a rapid increase in T-cell production.
High-dose cyclophosphamide treatment achieved complete remissions in five patients with autoimmune disorders, while partial remissions were maintained in two. Patients experienced improved kidney function and reduced medication doses.
Engineers at Georgia Tech Research Institute have revamped the display unit of a widely used radar warning system, improving its predicted reliability by over 500%. The new design features flat-panel electro-luminescent screens, reduced power requirements, and increased brightness.
Utah researchers have developed a new class of magnetic-field sensors that will allow the future manufacturing of low-cost, high-volume, high-density memory devices. The MAGRAM memory cell uses magnetic fields to store data, offering nonvolatile storage without continuous power requirements.
Human sperm contain receptors for cannabinoids, which can inhibit the acrosome reaction, regulate swimming patterns, and prevent sperm binding to the egg. The study found that marijuana-like compounds can significantly alter these processes, with implications for diagnosis of infertility and understanding human biology.
Dynavax's proprietary ISS-DNA alters immune response in allergic asthma, inhibiting symptoms and modifying inflammation. The company believes ISS-DNA therapy may provide a novel treatment for chronic allergic pulmonary inflammation.
Professor W. Wesley Peterson will receive the Japan Prize for his pioneering work in algebraic coding theory, a fundamental theory for error-correcting codes used in reliable digital communication systems. The prize recognizes Peterson's influential book, Error-Correcting Codes, published in 1961.
Researchers found that brief angiostatin exposure is sufficient to enhance the effects of radiation therapy. The combination of angiostatin and radiation resulted in significantly smaller tumors compared to other treatment groups.
Researchers found a genetic variation that increases collagenase production, potentially facilitating cancer invasion and spread. This discovery offers clues to molecular switches controlling cancer progression and provides tools for detection and treatment.
Researchers discovered the exact cellular site where the leprosy-causing bacterium attacks peripheral nerves. The findings point to a way of treating leprosy in its early stages and have tremendous ramifications for understanding nerve damage in other neurodegenerative diseases like muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
Australian scientists have discovered key facts about the Hendra disease, a mysterious virus that infects horses, cats, guinea pigs, and fruit bats. Research shows the virus can be transmitted through contaminated food and cat urine, and is often deadly, even if not highly contagious.
Scientists have developed a novel gene therapy treatment that permanently blocks age-related loss of muscle size and strength in mice. The treatment increases muscle strength by up to 27% in older mice, fully restoring their strength to young adulthood.
The NEAR mission will orbit and study asteroid Eros for a year, taking millions of measurements and images to determine its physical and geological properties. The spacecraft will face significant engineering challenges in maneuvering within 9 miles of the asteroid's surface.
A recent USGS study suggests that rivers, particularly the South Platte River in Colorado and Nebraska, are emitting high levels of nitrous oxide (N2O), a catalyst for ozone depletion. The study's findings indicate that N2O emissions from these rivers could be a major human-made source of N2O to the atmosphere.
Eucalyptus trees grown in soil amended with gypsum can thrive in the sticky black soils of the Tulare Lake basin, demonstrating a potential sustainable farming method for the San Joaquin Valley's west side. The sequential reuse system reduces evaporation pond land use by 70% and increases tree plus pond area by 1.9 times.
A new assay method has been developed to measure chromogranin A in peripheral blood, allowing clinicians to follow the outcome of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. This method could also serve as a diagnostic marker for other types of neuroendocrine tumor, such as small-cell lung cancer in smokers.
Scientists have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in detecting bacterial infections, potentially leading to the prevention of endotoxic shock. The discovery may enable the creation of a test to screen for people with genetic defects and provide a new approach to preventing deadly infections.
A study of over 400 premature and low birth-weight children found that early intensive intervention significantly improved short-term academic achievements. However, by age 9, the benefits of this intervention had faded, leaving further investigation into long-term outcomes needed.
Researchers discovered that green tea's EGCg compound inhibits an enzyme required for cancer cell growth and can kill cultured cancer cells. Drinking more than four cups of green tea a day may provide enough of the active compound to slow and prevent cancer cell growth.
A global plan has been launched to cut childhood asthma deaths by 50% through improved education, increased accessibility of effective anti-asthma therapies, and enhanced research into the disease's causes and treatment. The plan targets significant reductions in mortality, morbidity, and school days lost due to asthma.
Chemists have discovered a key to enhancing hydrodesulfurization, the most widely used process for removing sulfur compounds from crude oil. By observing individual molecules on surfaces, they found that nickel atoms can act as 'sticky ballbearings,' capturing thiophenes and helping them bind at optimal edge sites.
A new study from Northwestern University found that Evista (raloxifene) significantly reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, with a 63% decrease in newly diagnosed cases. The medication has also been shown to lower cholesterol and protect against bone loss and osteoporosis-related fractures.
Researchers at Cornell University found that infants' cycles of motor activity can help them 'visually forage' their environment. The study uses mathematical models to simulate infant behavior, revealing a pattern where motor activity peaks before visual attention disengages.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that women with chronic pain report slightly higher levels of pain than men. This difference may be attributed to how society teaches men to handle discomfort, rather than biology alone. The study's findings have long-term implications for treating male and female patients differently.
Mothers of premature infants tend to overestimate their babies' difficult temperament, leading to increased risk of behavior problems. The study highlights the importance of maternal perception and social support in caring for preterm infants.
A new pulsar has been discovered orbiting a massive star, providing insights into the mysterious behavior of transient objects. The pulsar, named XTE J1946+274 or GRO J1944+26, exhibits complex orbital patterns and intense magnetic fields, challenging our understanding of these enigmatic celestial bodies.
The NHLBI's new web site, Asthma Management Model System (AMMS), provides an interactive platform for clinicians to access the latest research and guidelines on chronic asthma management. The system allows users to formulate research questions, retrieve key databases, and analyze long-term asthma management problems.
A recent study by University of Florida researchers found that less than a week's worth of walking or jogging can help the heart produce enough HSP72 to protect it against damage during a heart attack. Exercise can generate this protective protein, which helps stabilize and refold damaged proteins in the heart.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that adding cherry tissue to ground beef retards spoilage and reduces the formation of suspected cancer-causing compounds like HAAs. The resulting product had fewer HAAs when pan-fried, with an overall reduction of 69-78.5 percent.
Scientists at the University of Georgia have described the shape of two important yeast proteins that facilitate protein transport in eukaryotic cells. The proteins, v-SNARE and t-SNARE, were found to be highly alpha helical, revealing a previously unknown structure that may explain how they work.
A newly discovered glycosphingolipid receptor may help explain susceptibility to urinary tract infections and provide a potential new treatment strategy. The receptor, called sialosyl galactosyl globoside (SGG), is suspected to be on urogenital tract cells in about 30% of all men and women, binding strongly to E. coli bacteria.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm with similarities to humans. The completed genome reveals over 19,000 protein-coding genes and sheds light on human biology.
A team of researchers discovered that malfunctions in the Tlr4 gene set the stage for septic shock, an often-fatal consequence of widespread bacterial infection. Identifying individuals susceptible to septic shock could lead to preemptive treatment with antibiotics and development of new drugs.
A recent study found a link between an asteroid/comet impact and the disappearance of 35 mammal species and a flightless bird 3.3 million years ago in southeastern Argentina. The research suggests that the impact may have triggered a climate change, leading to regional extinctions.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that amino acids must attach to transfer RNA (tRNA) in the nucleus for efficient delivery out of the nucleus. This quality-control process, known as proofreading, ensures genetic instructions are complete and ready to function.
Scientists have provided direct evidence that the Earth's innermost core is solid, contradicting a long-held assumption of a liquid core. This finding was made possible by advances in instrumentation and computer capabilities, allowing researchers to detect the characteristic vibrations of a solid core.
A USC-led study shows that photopheresis reduces the number of serious organ rejections in heart transplant patients, potentially allowing for a more targeted therapy. The treatment also appears to have an anti-viral effect, reducing levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the bloodstream.
A new study found that cannibalism among flour beetles regulates population growth and stabilization. By manipulating life stages, researchers demonstrated a link between cannibalism and stable populations.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health discovered that administering itraconazole to HIV-positive patients with P. Marneffei infection can prevent relapse, reducing the risk by 100%. The study showed a 50% relapse rate among untreated patients compared to zero in those treated with itraconazole.
Three university hospitals will receive funding to advance understanding of Parkinson's disease and develop new treatments. Investigators will study the cause of the disease, diagnose and treat it, and provide training for young scientists.
The study found that the risk of rupture for small aneurysms (less than 10 mm) is low, especially in patients without a history of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The investigators advise against surgery for most patients with small aneurysms and no history of brain hemorrhage, suggesting monitoring as an alternative.
A new urine test developed by Irish scientists can detect the 'date rape drug' Rohypnol up to a week after its use. The test uses antibodies and enzymes to identify the metabolite of Rohypnol, improving detection beyond existing antibody tests.
A new international study has identified that small intracranial aneurysms have a very low probability of rupture if the patient has no history of ruptured aneurysms. Patients with these conditions can live a normal lifestyle with minimal risk while monitoring their aneurysm.
Using a mathematical approach similar to that used for measuring seismic activity, researchers have pinpointed characteristics of abnormal cardiac activity in pigs. The study's findings may lead to the development of better antiarrhythmic drugs and more intelligent pacemakers.
The Europa Orbiter mission aims to find evidence of a liquid ocean on the moon, which could support life. If confirmed, Europa and Earth would be the only two worlds in the solar system with liquid water.